Why do I bite my nails?

Wednesday 29th Oct 2025, 12.30pm

Many of us will be familiar with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), perhaps without even realising it. Such behaviours – which include hair-pulling, nail biting and skin picking – can not only cause physical harm, but also often bring feelings of shame. Because of this, open discussion around BFRBs has been limited. In this episode of The Big Questions Podcast, we chat to Prof Clare Mackay from Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, who both studies and lives with BFRBs.